Payroll administrators play a critical role in the HR department of every company – they are responsible for ensuring that all the employees within the organization are getting paid accurately and punctually.
These professionals oversee all the processes attached to the payroll systems of the company. From administrative activities such as calculating hours and taxes and managing salaries to human resources activities such as collecting data and tabulating employee information, a payroll administrator shoulders a lot of responsibility.
A study in 2017 revealed that payroll professionals are in great demand around the world. It is a coveted position, one that requires computational and mathematical skills apart from communication and leadership qualities.
Most of the experts working in the payroll department have accounting or finance degrees with industry certifications in payroll that demonstrate their ability to handle payroll software. Additionally, they need to be well-versed with all the regional taxation laws, compliance requirements, and company policies.
Most payroll administrators are expected to work in conjunction with the HR and accounts department of the company. Their working hours and responsibilities can vary according to their role and the size of the company they work for.
In a smaller organization, the duties can be as limited as writing cheques and updating information in a spreadsheet. While companies with several thousand employees require payroll professionals to handle taxation, accounting, and payroll software. Many firms also outsource their payroll functions to specialist service providers who provide comprehensive solutions.
According to PayScale, payroll administrators earn between Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 6 lakh depending on the size of the company, number of secondary responsibilities, and years of experience. Payroll administration is the perfect job opportunity for people who are adept at handling numbers, love working in busy environments, and are capable enough to influence key business processes of a company.
Here is an extensive list of all the responsibilities and duties of a payroll administrator :
- Collect Employee Information
Collecting and tracking employee data is the first responsibility of every payroll administrator. The employee information needs to be updated regularly in collaboration with the HR department. This helps keep track of new hires and terminated employees and their dues.
2. Maintain Timekeeping Records
Payroll personnel has to keep a strict eye on the working hours of all the employees in the organization. They must ensure that workers regularly log in their working hours and overtime if any. They need to collect all this information and enter it into the payroll software. Some companies also entrust their payroll professionals with managing all issues related to inconsistencies in timekeeping. If there are any mistakes, they need to correct them in time so that there are no delays in employee payments.
3.Ensure Regular Payments
This is the biggest responsibility of any payroll administrator. Once the working hours have been logged in, payroll personnel need to calculate the amount owed to each employee. This amount needs to be transferred to the employees via the stipulated channel. The payment channel is often selected by the employees according to company policy. It can either by a direct account transfer, a cheque, or cash. The administrator needs to ensure that each employee gets paid accurately on the selected date. Payments can be made weekly, monthly, or quarterly depending on the company policy.
4. Process Deductions
There are voluntary and involuntary deductions that need to be made from every employee’s paycheck every month. The payroll administrator must ensure that these deductions are being made accurately according to local governing laws.
Any mistakes here can lead to compliance issues and monetary fines for the company. Voluntary deductions can include insurance premiums, investment premiums, healthcare premiums, retirement plan premiums, and stock options. While involuntary deductions include professional taxes, EPF, ESIC, and TDS. These deductions must be recorded and filed according to company policy.
5. Recording Payroll Processes
Another key responsibility of a payroll professional is creating and managing records of all the processes related to payroll. They need to file involuntary deduction reports, voluntary deduction reports, tax filing reports, timekeeping reports, and payment logs.
Often, payroll administrators are also involved in updating and changing the payroll processes of the company to make them more efficient. Keeping records is necessary so that no discrepancies ever creep up. Moreover, if there are any complaints, then accurate records can help resolve them.
6. Handling Payment Issues
The payroll administrator needs to be updated about all the related company policies and documents. They also need to be aware of all the logs and filings regarding employee payroll information. This helps them deal with any issues that might crop up in the payment cycle of the company. Payroll administrators are answerable to the employees and need to be prepared to handle every payroll problem.
Payroll administrators need to be proactive in managing the various responsibilities that come with the role. They should regularly update themselves with the changes in local governing laws while making sure company policies are compliant with all the necessary laws.
Lastly, they need to be adept at cross-team communication because their role requires close collaboration with the HR and accounts departments.